NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 21 – Retail chain Nakumatt Holdings and the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) have unveiled a joint fundraising programme geared at preventing deaths of mothers in pregnancy and childbirth.
The fundraising programme hosted by Nakumatt Holdings at all its 28 branches countrywide and dubbed Sh5 Bob Moja, Maisha Moja, seeks to raise more than Sh100 million this year to finance AMREF’s work in maternal health.
Confirming the launch of the programme, Nakumatt Holdings Managing Director Atul Shah explained that the supermarket chain has volunteered to host the unique fundraising project and also mobilise the support of its loyal customers to save the lives of women who die every day during childbirth in Kenya.
Customers wishing to take part in the fundraising campaign will be deducted Sh5 on their purchases valued at over Sh500 at all Nakumatt outlets countrywide. Still, customers wishing to donate more than Sh5 or wishing to opt out from making the donation are encouraged to alert the cashier at the till as it will remain an optional and voluntary fundraising exercise.
Alongside the fundraising bid, AMREF staff, in conjunction with Nakumatt staff, will on a bi-weekly basis be joining hands to raise awareness on maternal health by helping Nakumatt customers to carry shopping to their cars.
AMREF’s newly appointed Director General, Dr Teguest Guerma, explained that the fundraising effort would help the organisation to self-finance key projects to reduce and prevent the deaths of mothers and children.
“It’s unforgivable and a real tragedy that in this day and age, 26 Kenyan women in Kenya are still dying every day at when delivering babies due to lack of proper health care and support,” Dr Guerma said.
She added: “However, with the support of local corporates such as Nakumatt Holdings and thousands of their loyal shoppers, AMREF is now raising its capacity to reverse this fatal trend.”
On his part, Nakumatt’s Atul Shah reiterated the retail chain’s commitment to support sustainable fundraising initiatives geared at alleviating the plight of the less fortunate in society.
“Using our retail platform across the country, we are proud to be associated with AMREF in this fundraising drive,” Shah said. “All esteemed Nakumatt shoppers are encouraged to make a donation towards this campaign at all check out tills in our branches.”
Backed by its 54-year track history and unrivalled experience, AMREF has been globally recognised and rewarded for its pioneering work in community-based health care and development in Africa.
